Tuesday, March 30, 2010

It's a good day to smile when ....

I've spent many hours of my life defending those who can not talk, yes animals. I have gone to jail for defending animals. I've even had rocks thrown through windows because of my stances against those that abuse animals. I eat meat, and I've had some unusual meats in my lifetime. That is not what I am talking about here. What I write of here, is about the actions of those that use animals to gain money by the injury or death of those animals in fighting rings.

Today in one our local papers, there is a story about a cockfighting ring bust. Many defend the practice of cockfighting as a traditional or cultural event. I wonder if those people live in houses or still live caves.

Others will say "it's a sign of the times," oh me oh my, come on get a grip. Cockfighting has been a form of entertainment in some cultures for millennia, but it is past time now, for this type of animal abuse, blood letting, wagering and destruction of these animals to stop.

Below is the story from the local newspaper about a local cockfighting ring bust, and I for one am very happy, that someone in the local authorities listened and followed up on the tip.

*****

Police bust cockfighting operation

Monday, Mar 29 2010, 4:23 pm

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer

Police said the scene of an illegal cockfighting event in Clovis on Saturday night was littered with about 100 dead birds and many more injured and maimed.
“It was pretty alarming and disturbing,” State Police Capt. Jimmy Glascock said Monday.

Clovis Animal Control took custody of 53 birds, Glascock said.
Animal Control Officer Martin Martinez said the birds were euthanized Sunday morning.
“They’re not social animals,” he said. “They were big, pretty birds, but they are aggressive.”

Carcasses of birds were found in barrels and around a barn used to house the event, Glascock said.
Glascock said the cockfighting ring is the only one he’s aware of in the area in recent years, adding, “I wouldn’t want to dismiss the notion there may be others.”

A smaller ring was busted Sunday night in Espanola by state police, he said.

Cockfighting has been illegal in New Mexico since 2007 by act of the Legislature.
Officers from three local agencies descended on a barn at 3100 West Brady Ave. after undercover officers, responding to a tip, infiltrated the cockfight and confirmed its existence.

Glascock said about 100 people were gathered for the fights.
Some tried to run away from the scene, discarding suspected illegal drugs on the floor, Glascock said, noting officers blocked the exits and began detaining people.
Misdemeanor citations for unlawful dog and or cockfighting were issued to 90 individuals who were then released, he said.

Four men — Property owner Guillermo Viveros-Garcia, 43, Asuncion Mercado, 50, Jesus Figueroa, 40, and Francisco Lopez, 46 — were arrested on felony charges related to cockfighting.
The men remain in jail in lieu of bond.
Bond was set at $5,000 each for Viveros-Garcia and Mercado, $10,000 for Lopez and Figueroa is being held on $15,000 bond but is not eligible for release due to a hold by immigration authorities, jail officials said.

Glascock said the event was large in scale and showed a high degree of organization. However, he said evidence indicates whatever betting took place was done between individuals and was not organized.
He said ledgers were found documenting the weights and classes of birds and recording the winners of each match.
Glascock said specially designed cages and spurs worn by birds in cockfighting were also confiscated.

Police seized about six grams of cocaine, seven grams of marijuana and some prescription medication.
Glascock said no drug charges were filed because they were not found in the possession of suspects.

*****


YEAH!!!TO COIN A PHRASE...ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. NEXT?

Monday, March 1, 2010

Where Did This Year Go Already?

Was it not just yesterday that it was the first of January? Another year of marriage came and went and I hardly noticed as we did not go out or do anything special for the event. What happened in that month that it passed so fast I feel it was just yesterday the new year of 2010 started?

Hubby and I worked almost 24/7 with three paper routes starting at two in the morning, then hubby went to his day job and I went to the computer to edit and rewrite. Hubby's birthday came and went in that first month. How old is he now?

February came, taxes in the first week, the Olympics started on the 12, and I remember watching them at times, when I took a break from the editing, then this past Saturday all heck broke loose with the earthquake in Chile, and I didn't watch the closing Olympic ceremonies as I stayed glued to my computer, except when we went to deliver papers Sunday morning, waiting for word, one way or the other about Brag, who lives in Chile. He made contact this morning and is alright.

This morning that was only a few hours ago right? Holy time clock, it's nearing 7 at night here. No wonder my body hurts so much. I need to get some sleep before, wait a minute no I can't, I need to do some editing and oh no . . . As I look at the calendar I realize it is the first of March already. I planned on having my new book to my editor by today. January and February are gone and it seems I have not noticed.

Think maybe I need to take a time management course. Nope can't do that, no time.

Where has this year gone, already?